Tonbridge Property Selling guide

Our start to finish guide will help you through the process of selling your home

Tonbridge Property Selling guide

Preparing your property for viewings

You’ve made the decision to sell. But before you instruct an estate agent, you can save time by making sure everything is ready for the marketing process to begin.

First impressions

First impressions

Remember that old clichĂ© of ‘first impressions count’? It has never been more true than when it comes to selling your home. Buyers tell us that kerb-appeal is high on their wish list, which is why preparing your property to look its best is crucial if you want to secure a quick sale.

Front of house

Front of house

Check out the front of your property. It’s the first thing a prospective viewer will see, so make it as attractive as possible. Mow the lawn, jet wash the driveway, clean your windows and garage doors, and find new homes (even if temporary) for unsightly items such as recycling and waste bins.

A clean look

A clean look

Indoors it’s worth considering a good de-clutter. It’s your house, but buyers need to be able to picture how their own possessions and tastes in furniture would look, so bits and bobs and ornaments need to be removed and boxed away for a while to help open things up.

Time for DIY

Time for DIY

Make sure that the house structure is shown in its best condition, too. It’s time to deal with any niggling DIY jobs like damaged paint or loose handles. At the very least, it’s an absolute must for your home to be clean and presentable throughout.

Home-staging

Home-staging

Have you heard of home-staging? The layout of your furniture is something to consider, or anything that you can add that opens or freshens the look. We are happy to help with any home-staging advice prior to viewings. Please do ask!

Learn your property’s value

When you’re ready to sell, the first thing you want to know is how much your property is worth.

We know the market

We know the market

At Tonbridge Property, we will not set an inflated and unrealistic price just to win your business. With the study of different factors such as location, size, condition, good comparable evidence and an understanding of the current local buyer demand, we aim to give you a realistic and achievable sales figure.

Increase your property value

Increase your property value

If we think you could increase the value (or saleability) of your home by making certain changes, then we will tell you. It could be as simple as sprucing up the garden or replacing cupboard doors in a dated kitchen. If something bigger is likely to cause an obstacle, then we will discuss that with you too.

Pitfalls of over-valuing

Pitfalls of over-valuing

We understand that you want the best price for your home. Be assured, we want that too! But if a property is priced too high for the market, it won’t sell. Unfortunately, a home that remains on the market for an extended period of time can cause buyers to think there’s something wrong with it or to question its worth. If that happens, you may have to drop the price and the overall sales process takes longer.

 

Selling strategy

Selling strategy

Every estate agent has a different approach to selling a house. At Tonbridge Property we strongly believe that a ‘one size fits all’ plan will not benefit the seller. Even in similar areas, each property is unique and deserves a bespoke strategy in order to achieve the best possible result. We have many options we can choose when appropriate, including:

  • Using a guide price (or inviting offers in excess of price)
  • Discrete selling
  • The use of drone footage to highlight a property’s USPs
  • Developing a staggered advertising approach in how your property is promoted
  • Strategic advertising to reach the best market

Once you’ve agreed to go to market with us, we listen carefully to learn more about your individual situation. Then we create a bespoke, full and comprehensive strategy that will best suit you and your property.

Marketing the property

Marketing the property

When it comes to marketing your home, Tonbridge property leaves no stone unturned. That’s because where and how your property is marketed will determine the result achieved. Once instructed, we will arrange for our experienced in-house marketing and content creator to visit the property and make sure that the property is made to look as appealing as possible to all prospective purchasers. Our marketing package includes the following components:

  • Digital photographs
  • Professionally drawn up floor plan
  • Full virtual tour
  • Property video tour
  • Drone footage on all freehold properties
  • Placement on industry web portals such as Rightmove, Primelocation, Zoopla and OntheMarket
  • Placement on the Tonbridge Property bespoke website
  • Social media marketing, including Twitter, Facebook and Instagram
  • Glossy bespoke property brochure to show off your home
  • Our distinctive Tonbridge property board carefully erected outside your property
Viewings are conducted

Viewings are conducted

Once the viewing process begins, we will try our very best to work within your schedule. Rest assured, all prospective purchasers are carefully assessed prior to being accepted to view your property. We will never bring a person into your home without first knowing their full name, telephone number, market position and financial standing. Most purchasers prefer to be shown around by an agent without the vendor present. Whilst you may choose to attend the viewing, if possible, it is better to leave the house and let us undertake it.

After a viewing, we will give you honest feedback on what was positive and also any negative comments. Whilst these may simply reflect a purchaser’s individual needs, there could also be an opportunity to make changes or adjustments.

Negotiating offers

Negotiating offers

As your estate agent, we handle the process of negotiating an offer, keeping you fully informed at every stage. Any offer received will be put to you verbally (usually by phone) at the first available opportunity, and in writing (usually email) the same working day.

Whilst we want to complete a sale, we are acting on your behalf and never the buyer’s. It’s important to us that our client never feels pressured or forced into accepting an offer. In all circumstances, our member of staff will advise you in terms of how we plan to negotiate the deal.

Once we contact you with an offer, you will be given the opportunity to accept or decline. If you choose to accept an offer, we will then formally check the purchaser’s status. This includes contacting their broker or mortgage lender and (where relevant) the estate agent dealing with the sale of their own property.

Our guarantee

We want your decision to be made on an informed basis, and as such we will always answer your questions and advise on other interest in the property, viewings, feedback, general market conditions and comparable properties that have sold.

After accepting an offer

After accepting an offer

You have accepted an offer and the sale has been agreed. Now both parties need to instruct a solicitor. You may have your own in mind, but if not then we can help. Over the years we have made a list of trusted solicitors that we have noted for their experience, focus on customer care and competitive rates. All of them work on a ‘no sale, no fee’ basis.

Once you have a solicitor in place, we will write to you both to confirm the sale. This enables the solicitor to start the conveyancing process. Once your purchaser also has a solicitor in place, we will send out a Memorandum of Sale to all parties involved, and your chosen solicitor can start the conveyancing process.

The legal process

The legal process

The conveyancing process has commenced, but there is still much to do before completion of your sale.

Survey

Your buyer will be required to get a survey on behalf of their mortgage lender (unless they are a cash buyer). This could be a basic mortgage valuation, a more detailed Homebuyers Report, or depending on the type of property you’re selling, an extensive building survey. Providing the survey shows the property is a suitable purchase at the agreed price, then the mortgage offer will be confirmed. If there are any concerns about the initial report, then the buyer may choose to get further independent surveys. We suggest, however, that if you suspect there could be a potential issue with your property it is better to get it surveyed or addressed before going to market. If this information can then be shared with a future purchaser, it can potentially save time and re-negotiations further down the line.

Preparation of contracts

Preparation of contracts

The next stage in the conveyancing process for sellers involves completing a number of important and detailed questionnaires. These are primarily about the property and what is intended to be included with the sale. The questionnaires includes information on boundaries, disputes and complaints (for example, reported ‘noisy neighbour’ complaints or boundary disputes), known proposed developments (such as motorways, buildings or railways), building works, sewerage, council tax and utilities. If the property is leasehold, the seller must purchase and provide the buyer with a leasehold pack. This pack is compiled by the freeholder’s management company. It should provide important information relating to lease charges and ground rent, as well as any proposed works due to be carried out on the building.

The questionnaires will be used to draw up a draft contract which will need to be approved by both solicitors. Only when all parties are satisfied will the contracts be agreed.

Exchange of contracts

Exchange of contracts

Before you can exchange contracts, you will need a redemption figure from your mortgage company. This is the total you will pay them upon completion of the sale.

With all parties now satisfied, and contracts approved, the exchange of contract can take place. At this point a legally binding agreement is entered into by both parties. Upon exchange, the purchaser will transfer their deposit (usually ten percent of the total purchase price) and a completion date is set.

 

Towards full completion

Towards full completion

Move out day has arrived, and it’s time to load up the removal van. However, before the keys are handed over, your solicitor must first receive the completion funds from your buyer’s solicitor. It is only when they have received that money that completion has formally taken place.

Completion will be confirmed via a phone call to you, and also to ourselves acting as your estate agent. As soon as possible after this, we will arrange for the new owner to collect the keys. Your completion monies will then be transferred to you via your buyer’s solicitor, usually minus your own solicitor’s fees and estate agent fees.

Congratulations! You have sold your property.

What's your property worth?

What's your property worth?

Click the button below to use one of our valuation services such as our quick online valuation service or an in-person appointment and we will arrange an accurate market appraisal of your property at a time convenient for you.